Five benefits of keeping the faith

James 1:6-8 explains, "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind

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Keeping the faith is tough in a world where faith in yourself and nothing else is slowly becoming the normal. God has been deemed to be dead by some or if He ever existed at all, to have lost interest in His creation. Yet to those who stand up and yell to others "I believe' and keep the faith there are at the least seven benefits.

The quality of life is better for those who keep the faith.Philippians 4:12ESV, "I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Faith may not improve the life of an abundance of things but it does improve the view of the quality of the life you have.

An improved contentedness because satisfaction is found not in possessions or money but in God. Psalm 16:11 ESV says, "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." One of the greatest treasures of faith is not something which can be held, but something which can be felt, a feeling of peace and contentment no matter what comes.

An improved vision of this life and the life yet to come. Hebrews 11:1 ESV says,"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." When the eye is focused on the background it does not see what is directly ahead. Every Christians who places their faith in this world loses sight of the their true home - Heaven.

An improved psychological health John 14:27 ESV, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." When faith and trust are put in God's hand and our own hands then life though not being perfect can become less stressful mentally. The Lord is the great bearer of all our problems.

A consistent view of the purpose of our being here InJeremiah 29:11 ESV ,tells us "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Faith produces a clear picture of the plans God has for life. Before faith in God life is a disjointed array of events which do not offer any peace or direction. After faith there is a clear picture of where the road ends and a truer focus on how to get there.

These are only five of the benefits of keeping the faith. There are many others all throughout the bible.

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Timothy Whitt
Philadelphia Christian Examiner
Timothy Whitt, a regular contributor to Hub Pages and other online sites, is a father of four from outside Philadelphia. A former Sunday School teacher for various churches. Timothy studies the Bible regularly and love to pass on what he learns to others. Contact Timothy at TimothyWhitt@comcast.net

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